Gudguda Waterfall — Attraction in Odisha

Average, "okay"-type experience for me, but one WON'T regret coming here. Below are all details for those planning to visit from long distance like me, including the basic information, PROs, CONs and suggestions.

About Gudguda: It's a waterfall and quite a popular picnic spot around 35 km from Kuchinda town, at the foot of the Bamra forest range. Road connectivity is quite fine, and the best time to visit is from post-monsoon to January (it's closed in monsoon due to recent safety concerns).

PROs:

Ideal for families/schools/colleges: This place is great for "traditional" picnic groups who want a safe, peaceful place with ample space for camping, cooking, dancing, games etc. Under the shade of tall trees, there is enough space for dozens of big picnic groups, along with reserved cemented platforms and cooking "pindis" for each group. There are many handpumps for clean drinking/cooking water. The place is well regulated, with volunteers as well as policemen. Alcohol is strictly prohibited after the main toll gate and loudspeakers are also not allowed. A big parking space too to accommodate dozens of vehicles.

Sal forests: This place is almost entirely covered with very tall and majestic "Sal" trees. I had seen sal forests, but none as in Gudguda area. The area before the toll gate as well as after it, is covered with the shade of these majestic trees. You will see rays of sunlight falling through the trees, and highlighted by the smoke from the "pindis" of cooking picnic parties. A perfect place to relax and forget about the world for a day.

Beautiful stream: The waterfall here forms a totally flat, smooth-flowing and very beautiful stream with crystal-clear water, photogenic like what you see in mobile/computer wallpapers. There are "Nirguni" tree bushes and ferns on both sides, and no big rocks etc. on stream bed. One reason for the clean water is that the waterfall flows through thick inaccessible forest path and also because bathing is more or less prohibited here. At the start of the stream near the waterfall, you can see many big fish in the clean waters (tourist feed them). Actually there are two branches of the stream, one had dried up when we went in January.

Beautiful waterfall. Though somewhat small-sized, the waterfall is beautiful due to it's location among two hills and its 3-stage appearance. Also, the crystal-clear stream in front adds to the beauty. There's a beautiful bridge in front of the waterfall from where you can look at the waterfall.

"Lychee" zone of Odisha: This zone is famous for its high-quality lychees. There are lots of lychee orchards on the way. You can get them for half the price or less than what you get in cities (in summer only).

CONs:

Dangerous pool & drownings: The main pool of the waterfall is VERY deep and dangerous and there have been too many drowning incidents of tourists here. So they have now totally fenced off the main pool area, and there is Rs. 500 fine if you jump the fence.

Restrictions & limitations: This place is closed during monsoons due to safety reasons. Further, this place is like a dead-end, very difficult to trek anywhere as the hills are too steep and the sal forests are too dense (you can't see much before 100 meters, just trees). Don't try to trek towards the waterfall from the hill sides through forests as the rocky hills are almost 90 degrees near the waterfall and too dangerous.

Littering: Through the management takes good care, irresponsible people still litter and pollute, some even throw wrappers and water bottles in the stream's crystal-clear waters.

Suggestion: Here's few suggestions to Gudguda management committee and the zonal forest department - 1) Please ban bathing and dish-washing in waterfall stream totally, picnic groups can use the hand-pumps, 2) Take care of gradual encroachment of forest land from the nearby village, 3) If possible, facilitate trekking to the waterfall side-hills so that nature-lovers, photographers, trekkers can explore the place better and different profiles of tourists...

I am giving you a clear perspective, so that you can decide that this place is worth visiting for you or not.

About Gudguda Gudguda is a waterfall surrounded with densed forest. It consists of some heart touching natural beauties, Waterfall is situated in the middle of dense forest. Earlier, Bathing on the waterfront and climbing to upper tier is allowed but currently It is not allowed for anyone.You can find many varieties of trees here. And on the sides of the road to Gudguda, you can enjoy the beauties of Litchi and Mango trees, And if you're planning to visit in April/May, Then you may get a chance to eat Litchi directly from the tree. If you want to come here just to roaming and spending time, Then please don't come on Rush days (Weekends of Nov/Dec/Jan 31 Dec / 1st Jan) and If you are planning to make a feast, and it is a weekend on the above mentioned period, Then it is always good to come before 08:00 AM, so that you can get a good place to prepare and cater your feast. On Kartik Purnima, Gudguda Mahotsav organised by Gudguda development authorities, You can enjoy that one also.

Tickets Ticket per head - ₹5 Bike - ₹30 Car - ₹100 Bus - I don't know the exact value

Mode of Communication Gudguda is a kind of well connected, you can find a variety of modes to reach Gudguda.

Nearest city is Kuchinda which is 35 Kms away from the spot.

By Bus: You can find direct bus till Kusumi from Kuchinda, then you have to opt for a local transport.

By Cab: If you're coming from an online cab service with an Outstation ride, then no issues, you can directly go to Gudguda. Online Cab services (Ola & Uber) is not available at Kuchinda, But you can find local cab at Kuchinda.

By your own car: If you're willing to come to Gudguda by your own car, then no issues, Road is good as of now (25 Nov 2021), You can directly go to Gudguda.

By Train: The nearest station is Jharsuguda Jn (Station Code - JSG) which is almost 80 kms away from the spot which is well connected with most of the largest stations in India, You can easily find a train to Jharsuguda from most of the part of India. After reaching Jharsuguda, You can take OLA or JUGNOO from there.

By Air: The nearest Airport is Jharsuguda Airport (IATA: JRG; ICAO: VEJH), Jharsuguda Airport is well connected with some major Cities of India. e.g. As of today's date (25/11/21), Flights from Delhi (Spicejet Boeing 737), Hyderabad, Kolkata (Spicejet Bombardier Q400 Dash 8 NG) and Kolkata, Raipur, Bhubaneswar (Alliance Air ATR - 72 600) is available in Jharsuguda, From Jharsuguda Airport, You can easily find local taxi, eCab to Gudguda falls.

Hotels Near Gudguda No hotels near Gudguda is available which can accommodate you in a living perspective. Some lodges are available in Kuchinda, but I would suggest you to go with the following two options.

So, What to do next?

If you are coming through Jharsuguda, then a variety of staying options from budget friendly to comfort is available in Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda has several Oyo's, So I don't think, You will have to face difficulties.

And same option is available at Sambalpur also...

So where to dine if you're just came here for spending time So as of today (25/11/21), I can suggest you that dine in the dhaba which will come on the left after 2 kms of passing Kusumi in the way to Kuchinda in your return journey.

Does visiting Gudguda trustworthy???

Ans - Definitely, If you're a nature lover or want to enjoy some of your time with earth's natural beauty, then come here and enjoy the nature peacefully. But if possible, Please come on non-weekend days, So that you can explore Gudguda well.

Thanks for Reading!! Hope you like my review and if you're thinking from where do I belong, then I'm from Kuchinda.... Have a great journey...

What a lovely waterfall. It's a perfect place of natural beauty.Ita a place full of natural resources, beauty, pleasure, happiness, etc. Gudguda waterfalls has more than 13 falls in it. It's a Idea place for picnic. It's famous for its beauty waterfalls it has beautiful jungle. Locals cultivates many litchy trees there coz there they get abundance of water. Praise The LORD JESUS CHRIST for HIS such beautiful creation. How beautifully HE created it. Ohh wow! Before 2 years there people were allowed to take bath, but after many incidents which led to death of many people our Government stopped people take bath there. There we can get to see many many types of big and small fishes. The waters are so deep that even divers can't get to it's bottom due to the pressure which extracts them out. But then also it's a super enjoyable site in Odisha (Land of superstitions).

Gudguda, one of the most beautiful Picnic Spot. Though Gudguda comes under Sambalpur District, Many peoples flock this place from neighboring towns like Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and even Rourkela too. From Jharsuguda, it takes only 1.5 hours to reach to the spot. The Roads are fantastic after you cross Kolabira Village. Journey to this place is very pleasant. You can hardly find any vehicles after Kolabira Village. This place is fully covered with dense forest. As soon as you are about to enter the spot, you can find many Mango and Lichi Orchards on both side of the roads. You can also hear chirping of birds, gushing sound of waterfall etc. You will love this place as it is a very peaceful place to spend your day away from your hectic and busy life. Let us tell you that before entering to the exact spot you need to cross a small waterfall, which can easily be crossed if you have any four wheeler. Maruti 800 and Maruti Van will have little difficulty in crossing this in Moonson time. This Place has three Step by step waterfalls, these Waterfall have been beautifully carved themselves through the rocks. This Place is also good for Mountain Trekking. Do not forget to carry Trekking shoes along with you whenever you plan to visit this place. Let us mention one more thing that the water flowing in this falls is extremely chilly, one of the main reason is because waters are hardly expose onsun raysas it is covered on all sides. Rest you can easily know more about the spot once you see the Photographs taken...